History

The first meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Chemical Manufacturers’ Federation took place in Wellington on January 29, 1948.

Agcarm was initially set up as a trade group within the framework of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, now part of Business New Zealand.

Individuals and firms were eligible for membership if they were actively manufacturing:

(i) Stock remedies as defined in the Stock-Remedies Act 1934 and subsequent amendments and;

(ii) Insecticides, (including domestic insecticides), fungicides, weedicides and growth regulating chemicals.

A driving force behind the establishment of Agcarm was the Stock Remedies Board which came into being, along with new regulations in January 1948. Other important issues were stock food regulations, shipping rates and the need for prompter action by government laboratories in testing various samples and new products submitted by member firms.

At Agcarm’s first annual general meeting, members set a subscription of two pounds two shillings (about $150 in 2009 terms) per member firm. It was estimated that the Agcarm’s total income on this basis would be approximately £70 ($4600).

One of the earliest presidents was Mr D.A. Watkins who in 1955 described Agcarm’s aim as building “a sound industry that is closely connected with and has a full understanding of, the primary industries of this country. It is our aim to serve the farmer, orchardist and market gardener and, of course, that very important section of the public, the home gardener”.

Honour Board of Past Presidents